New route for Loughborough half marathon taking place at weekend

The 13.1 mile race will start at 9am as those taking part are warmed up by Havana Salsa before leaving the starting blocks from Charnwood College this Sunday, April 2, with the event raising funds for charity, Living Without Abuse (LWA).

RUNNERS from across the area will be coming to pound the pavement in the Loughborough Half Marathon this Sunday.

But don’t forget to head to Charnwood College to cheer on the runners, because for the first time in six years the marathon will not be heading through the town centre.

The 13.1 mile race will start at 9am as those taking part are warmed up by Havana Salsa before leaving the starting blocks from Charnwood College this Sunday, April 2, with the event raising funds for charity, Living Without Abuse (LWA).

Pictured are runners at last years Loughborough Half Marathon. More than 850 runners have signed up to the event this year that takes place at the weekend. (Image: Loughborough Echo)

Event organiser Gina King told the Echo that more than 850 runners have registered for the race and said: “We would love people to come out and cheer the runners on.

“We have 17 teams taking part and five of them are from Poplar Running Club and Poplar Cycling club are our lead and end cyclists.”

She also said that some of the best places to watch the race from are: Black Brook Way (behind Morrisons), Coe Avenue leading into Garendon Park, Hathern Drive in Garendon estate and Butthole Lane in Garendon Estate.

Pictured are runners at last years Loughborough Half Marathon. More than 850 runners have signed up to the event this year that takes place at the weekend. (Image: Loughborough Echo)

Leicestershire County Council says the route has changed since last year over safety fears for runners heading along Epinal Way and Ashby Road in Loughborough.

A spokesperson from Leicestershire County Council said: “The route was changed because the traffic lights on the A512 on Ashby Road and on Epinal Way, which are on the marathon journey, conflicted with the stop/go temporary traffic management system signals used for the event which is a safety risk to the runners, other motorists and pedestrians using the route.

“The A512 leads to the M1 and there were additional concerns that further congestion could arise if there was to be an accident on this motorway.

“Concerns from emergency services about the use of Epinal Way also influenced the change of route.”

Gina said: “It is a shame that we have had to change the route, it was always fantastic starting and finishing in the town centre, but I am sure it will be just as good this year. A lot of work has gone into organising a new route.”